 "What will be India's playing XI in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.Image: AFP/AP")
The press conference eagerly awaited by Indian cricket fans took place on Tuesday in Mumbai, where chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav announced the 15-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
In the lead-up to the squad announcement, several suggestions were made over who could potentially be in the squad and who could receive a snub. With the squad out, everything is crystal clear now. Subsequently, it is time to dive deep into the squad and figure out the players likely to feature in the playing XI for the tournament.
Excluding key players like captain Suryakumar Yadav, premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and opener Abhishek Sharma, who face little competition for their spots, who else might secure a place in India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025? Newly appointed vice-captain Shubman Gill is likely another guaranteed pick, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar has hinted at his potential as a future all-format captain. Additionally, Gill’s role as deputy suggests his spot is secure, making him a likely choice over Sanju Samson to open the innings for India.
With five spots in the playing XI already secured, and given the success of spinners in the Champions Trophy earlier this year in the UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir are likely to select Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, leaving four slots open.
Who should bat at No.3?
Tilak Varma has been exceptional for India since his T20 debut in 2023 against the West Indies, where he shone at No. 4. He later moved to No. 3, delivering standout performances, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa in November 2024. His consistent form at No. 3 continued in India’s T20I series against England, strongly indicating he will retain that position for the Asia Cup 2025.
Suryakumar Yadav could also bat at No. 3, with him and Tilak Varma potentially rotating the position based on form and match conditions. However, No. 4 appears to be Suryakumar’s preferred spot, where he consistently plays for both India and the Mumbai Indians.
Axar’s utility or Rinku’s finishing?
Axar Patel proved vital for India during the 2024 T20 World Cup, batting at No. 4 and justifying his selection with a crucial 47 in the final against South Africa, while also contributing significantly with the ball throughout the tournament. His all-round utility makes him a likely pick for the Asia Cup 2025. However, selecting him over a proven finisher like Rinku Singh, who is also present in the squad, will be a tough decision.
Moreover, Shivam Dube, who made a significant impact for India with his 20-30 run cameos in the T20 World Cup 2024, is also in the reckoning. He was also decent in the England series, scoring 83 runs in two T20Is.
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With Sanju Samson, who is better suited to open but likely to lose his spot to Shubman Gill, Jitesh Sharma is poised to take on wicket-keeping duties. Sharma’s batting record for India has been modest, scoring just 100 runs in nine T20Is, with his last appearance in January 2024 against Afghanistan ending in a duck. However, his strong IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 261 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 178, keeps him in contention. He is likely to serve as the wicket-keeper and a valuable lower-order batsman for the Asia Cup 2025.
Selecting Jitesh Sharma over Sanju Samson will be challenging, as Samson has a proven track record in T20 internationals. However, Samson’s poor performance against England earlier in 2025, scoring just 51 runs in five matches, goes against him.
Jitesh’s addition at the bottom means one out of Axar or Dube will have to go out and considering the matches are un UAE, the former may get picked.
Arshdeep Singh will support Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh was instrumental in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets. A regular in India’s T20I lineup, he is certain to feature in the playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025.
He would only miss out if India decide to go with only one specialist pacer and add an extra seam-bowling all-rounder like Dube.
India’s Likely playing XI in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025
Considering all the factors, this could be the preferred playing XI for Team India:
Abhishek Sharma
Shubman Gill
Tilak Varma
Suryakumar Yadav
Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel
Jitesh Sharma
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Varun Chakravarthy
The above 11 provide excellent balance to the team, but the final selection will depend on the coach and captain’s decision.